Chewing gum sleeve

ABSTRACT

A relatively small, flexible receptacle adapted to receive used chewing gum for easy disposal thereof. The receptacle is fabricated from inexpensive material (paper) and is sized to contain a small, individual amount of gum. The receptacle is configured with a top portion to facilitate handling. The top portion also functions to close the receptacle after gum has been deposited therein. As contemplated, a plurality of receptacles can be housed in a tray, which tray may be placed in a convenient place at the entrance to a restaurant&#39;s dining room or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to receptacles. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a receptacle and a holder therefore, which receptacle is adapted to receive an individual amount of used chewing gum or mints and the like.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Chewing a jaw full of gum would certainly be considered gauche when one is entering a “classy” restaurant or other fine establishment. In many instances, however, the chewer cannot find a suitable place to dispose of the used gum. Thus, an ugly piece of gum is thrown on the ground or floor to be walked on and stuck to another person's shoes. Even worse, the gum may be deposited under the edge of a chair or table to come into contact with another's hands and garments. An inexpensive, discreet receptacle, which receptacle would be readily available would certainly be a welcome addition to the art.

[0005] There are many patents in the prior art that disclose receptacles for receiving used chewing gum. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,007,042 (Duckett), U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,858 (Jenkins), U.S. Pat. No. 3,960,269 (Jenkins), U.S. Pat. No. 4,022,319 (Jenkins), U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,440 (Ware) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,310 (Kruczko) show devices for depositing used gum. All the devices are of a size to contain large amounts of gum and all require a relatively large space. The instant patents do not contemplate providing a gum receptacle small enough for individual use.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. D454,303 S is drawn to the design of a package for dispensing sheets. The package is flat and of rectangular configuration. There is no provision to store used chewing gum.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,885,668 (McClain) discloses a tray to be used for sorting mail. The tray is of relative large size and is not designed to retain receptacles of the size contemplated for receiving used chewing gum.

[0008] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to disclose a receptacle for receiving used gum and a tray therefore as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention. Thus, a chewing gum sleeve solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is a relatively small, flexible receptacle adapted to receive used gum for easy disposal thereof. The receptacle is fabricated from inexpensive material (paper) and is sized to contain a small, individual amount of gum. The receptacle is configured with a top portion to facilitate handling. The top portion also functions to close the receptacle after gum has been deposited therein. As contemplated, a plurality of receptacles can be housed in a tray, which tray may be placed in a convenient place at the entrance to a restaurant's dining room or the like.

[0010] Though primarily designed for the disposal of chewing gum, it is obvious that items such as mints, olive pits, etc. may also be deposited in the small receptacle. The receptacle may be decorated to coordinate with the decor of the particular restaurant.

[0011] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a receptacle for disposing of used chewing gum.

[0012] It is another object of the invention to provide a receptacle for disposing of used chewing gum, which receptacle is of a size for discrete individual use.

[0013] It is a further object of the invention to provide a receptacle for disposing of used chewing gum, which receptacle can be readily manipulated.

[0014] Still another object of the invention is to provide a receptacle for disposing of used chewing gum, which receptacle can be made readily available for customer use at fine restaurants and the like.

[0015] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

[0016] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is an environmental, rear view of a chewing gum sleeve, according to the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 is an environmental, front view of a chewing gum sleeve according to the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an array of chewing gum sleeves housed in a convenient container, according to the present invention.

[0020] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the chewing gum sleeve of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. Sleeve 10 is comprised of a body portion 12 having a closed bottom 14 and an open top 16. A triangular-shaped handle member 17 extends upwardly from the opening to define an apex at the top end of the sleeve. Member 17 is employed as a means to grasp and manipulate the sleeve. Although shown in a trapezoidal configuration, it is obvious that the sleeve can be fabricated in other convenient configurations if desired. Advertisement space is available on the rear and front surfaces of the sleeve.

[0022] As best shown in FIG. 3, an aesthetically pleasing tray 18, having plural slots 20 therein, is provided to house an array of sleeves 10. As contemplated, the tray will be disposed at a convenient but discrete location at the entrance to a fine restaurant's dining area or the like.

[0023] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A chewing gum sleeve comprising: a receptacle, said receptacle having a front face, a rear face and a closed bottom, wherein said front face terminates at an upper portion; an opening defined at said upper portion of said front face, said opening adapted to receive used chewing gum; a triangular-shaped handle member, said handle member being integral with said rear face and extending above said opening, said handle member terminating in an apex.
 2. A chewing gum sleeve as recited in claim 1, wherein said receptacle has a width and said width is approximately one and one half inches.
 3. A chewing gum sleeve as recited in claim 1, wherein said receptacle has a length extending from said closed bottom to said apex and wherein said length is approximately three inches.
 4. A chewing gum sleeve as recited in claim 1, wherein said receptacle is fabricated from paper.
 5. A chewing gum sleeve comprising: a receptacle, said receptacle having a width, a front face, a rear face and a closed bottom, wherein said front face terminates at an upper portion; an opening defined at said upper portion of said front face, said opening adapted to receive used chewing gum; a triangular-shaped handle member, said handle member being integral with said rear face and extending above said opening, said handle member terminating in an apex a length of said receptacle being defined from said closed bottom to said apex.
 6. A chewing gum sleeve as recited in claim 5, wherein said receptacle is fabricated from paper.
 7. A chewing gum sleeve as recited in claim 6, wherein said width is approximately one and one half inches.
 8. A chewing gum sleeve as recited in claim 7, wherein said length is approximately three inches.
 9. An array of chewing gum sleeves and a housing there for, each respective sleeve of said array comprising: a receptacle, said receptacle having a front face, a rear face and a closed bottom, wherein said front face terminates at an upper portion; an opening defined at said upper portion of said front face, said opening adapted to receive used chewing gum; a triangular-shaped handle member, said handle member being integral with said rear face and extending above said opening, said handle member terminating in an apex, wherein each sleeve of said array is disposed in said housing.
 10. An array of chewing gum sleeves and a housing there for as recited in claim 9, wherein said housing is an open tray.
 11. An array of chewing gum sleeves and a housing there for as recited in claim 10, including a plurality of slots formed in said open tray, each slot adapted to receive a respective sleeve.
 12. An array of chewing gum sleeves and a housing there for as recited in claim 11, wherein said receptacle has a width and said width is approximately one and one half inches.
 13. An array of chewing gum sleeves and a housing there for as recited in claim 12, wherein said receptacle has a length extending from said closed bottom to said apex and wherein said length is approximately three inches.
 14. An array of chewing gum sleeves and a housing there for as recited in claim 13, wherein said receptacle is fabricated from paper. 